In Proverbs I found a piece of advice that I like. It says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The Complete Jewish Bible translates that same verse as, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life's consequences.” And the NIV translates it, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”This past few months as the Swine Flu scare has taken the spotlight I’ve wondered what the world would be like if we spent as much time worrying and striving to keep our hearts healthy as we do our bodies healthy. When negative things like jealously, anger, resentment, grudges, or fear enter our hearts do we seek for ways to inoculate ourselves against them? Many of us stock up on cold and flu medicine at this time of year. But are we seeking out and storing up knowledge of how to rid ourselves of spiritual illnesses? When we feel negative things creeping into our hearts do we act immediately and fight off the negative emotions or do we sit back and say, “Well that’s part of life” And let it fester and grow?
Negative feelings are sickness to the heart. But the Truth Tools are medicine that heals the heart and keeps us living in Truth. It takes effort, but it is worth it. There is only bitterness to be had by drinking from the sickspring that is found in the Pit of Illusion. Instead, we can drink from the Wellspring of Living Waters and be filled with joy and peace.
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6 comments:
O What a post. I don't know you but everytime I check your blog you write what I need read. I spent this past week grieving for my nephew and his mom and dad. He was 5 months old and died because his heart wasn't developing. Our Thanksgiving was mixed with grief and thankfulness for the babies we still have. Looking back on the sweet time we had with him I longed to know what more I could do. At the funeral his dad said, "His heart condition was not his defining characteristic." My thoughts after this post is a hope to make sure that my defining characteristics are those that make my heart healthy, so that I can hear the wonderful giggle from my nephew again. Thank You
Sara, I am so sorry to hear about your nephew. The lose of a baby is always difficult.
I like what you said about defining characteristics. While a physical heart problem shouldn't be a defining characteristics, spiritual heart problems always are. Thanks for your comment.
what a wonderful post! Especially at this time of year. (you know when you are pulling or grabbing things off sale tables angry when someone gets your the parking spot you were waiting for etc etc.!) I read the scriptures everyday - mostly because when I grow up I want to understand and glean some insights from them like you do. You're amazing ;) love you,
Dusty
Dusty, It's good to hear from you again. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
This past July, my husband's grown up son Jim, just couldn't handle life the way it was going. He had been divorced a year (and still truly loved his wife and wanted to get back together with her and tried his best to please her). Then about 3 weeks before his death, he lost a really good job. It was all too much for him so he killed himself! It was a shock to us. We know that he is at peace with himself and is in the arms of the Savior.
Christy
Christy, I am so sorry to hear that. So many people around us have heavy hearts.
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